The fighter, who owns a stellar 27-4 record with 12 wins in his past 13 fights, now meets Matt Major (6-1 MMA, 0-0 BFC) this week at Bellator 16 at the Kansas City Power & Light District entertainment complex in Missouri.

Sources close to the promotion told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Bellator officials have been working on contract and visa issues for more than a month to land Shlemenko – and held off on naming a replacement because they wanted him in the tourney so badly.

The Russian is an early favorite to win the tournament. If successful, he’ll earn $100,000 and a title shot with season-one winner and current champ Hector Lombard.

As with all Bellator shows, Bellator 16 airs live on FOX Sports Net this Thursday. A middleweight tournament bout of Bryan Baker vs. Sean Loeffler is also slated for the card.

Shlemenko, who opened his career with a 15-0 mark, then suffered three consecutive losses to Jose Landi-Jons (twice) and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. However, he’s since posted a 12-1 record and most recently scored a 40-second knockout (due to a body kick) of former UFC fighter Sean Salmon at Fight Festival 27 in Finland.

“Alexander is a dangerous fighter who poses a serious threat to anyone he faces at 185 (pounds),” Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. “We’ve been working on signing Russia’s top middleweight for some time, and I’m glad we’ll finally get to see him fight in our tournament and beyond. Alexander’s style – spinning back fists, flying knees and non-stop strikes – [makes] for great fights.”

Schlemenko, who fought once for EliteXC and has been announced as a Shine Fights signee, is gunning for Lombard, though he’s three wins shy of the title fight.

“I feel that Bellator is a really great opportunity for me,” Shlemenko stated. “I love the tournament format, and I think it’s a great chance for me to get exposure here in the U.S. market. My only goal is to be the No. 1 middleweight fighter in the world, and Bellator will help me do that. I’ve seen Hector Lombard fight, I’ve studied his style, and I know it well. I’d love to fight him and become the champion at his expense.”

His first opponent, Major (6-1), is currently riding a three-fight win streak, which included decision victories over UFC veteran Shonie Carter and former EliteXC fighter Jamie Fletcher.

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